BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 157 



the few modern devotees of the ancient sport. Its large 

 size was also an advantage. 



A subject which can be very appropriately mentioned in 

 connection with this species is that of ' powder-down.' Per- 

 vading the plumage of the Heron is a pale-blue, waxy powder 

 Mhich has been well compared to the bloom of peaches. 

 This powder is easily recognised in the case of captive birds 

 as a slight scum on the surface of their bath. The powder 

 is traceable to several patches of extremely fragile, long 

 down-feathers, which readily crumble and apparently form 

 the powder in this manner. In the Heron these patches 

 are in three pairs, the longest pair being concealed by 

 the breast feathers, while the two smaller pairs are on the 

 thighs and the groins respectively. Similar patches of 

 powder-down, as it is called, are well marked in the case 

 of the Pigeons, and, among exotic birds, the Parrots may 

 be mentioned as also possessing them. 



Interesting field observations have established the fact that 

 the Heron, on the apparently rare occasions when it preens 

 itself, continually rubs its beak in one or other of the powder- 

 down patches, and then brings it out covered with the bluish 

 powder, which becomes transferred to the feathers next 

 preened. So far for fact. As regards the use which the 

 powder serves, many theones, reasonable and fantastic, have 

 been put forward ; but the question still lacks a convincing 

 answer. 



To the Heron is very often popularly applied the name 

 ' Crane,' in confusion with an rmrelated bird of somewhat 

 similar general appearance, which, as we have seen, is no 

 longer a native of these islands. 



